Oct 7, 2022; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) walks for the locker room before halftime in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. The Bengals led 28-17 at halftime. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-The Enquirer
By Ross Jackson
Assuming three important factors are true, the New Orleans Saints should absolutely look to sign veteran offensive lineman and former LSU Tiger La’el Collins.
Collins said the he and Saints head coach Kellen Moore have spoken and teased the potential of returning to Louisiana as a member of the Saints. Should that come to fruition, it would be more than a good story for New Orleans.
Yes, the fact that he’s a Baton Rouge native and played at LSU are all great stories. But beyond the Louisiana connection, he would provide this team something that it would have loved to have had last year: quality veteran depth.
The three things that need to be true are simple:
- The Saints have to actually be interested.
- Collins would likely need to be willing to accept a veteran level one-year deal.
- Collins would need to be back in full health.
Point No. 3 he addressed already in his conversation with After Further Review host Matt Moscona.
“I’m 100 percent,” he said. “I can finally say that, and feeling really good.”
After spending a year with the Dallas Cowboys on their practice squad, Collins signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. After not making the initial 53-man roster, he then got time to focus on his health and football future. With him now being rested and healed up, welcoming him in to training camp could end up being a wise move by New Orleans.
The requirement of accepting a one-year deal is just business. Collins hasn’t made an active roster game appearance since 2022 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
As he looks to land a spot with his next team, the Saints should look closely at the addition for at least training camp and as a potential veteran practice squad member or active roster depth piece beyond that.
If nothing else, getting a look at him in July or August could become specifically beneficial in October, November or December should the Saints need to manage any attrition on the offensive line come the latter part of the season. Having an updated, first-hand look at a veteran player could come in handy later on in the year should signings or additions be necessary.
This should be a no-brainer for the Saints, assuming there is truly mutual interest between the two parties.
